If your body says one thing and your words another, your customer will believe your body.
-Brian Sullivan

What does your body say when you are trying to convince others that you are worthy of their respect, interested in what they are saying and confident enough to get the job done. One study at UCLA indicated that up to 93 percent of communication effectiveness is determined by nonverbal cues.  Which means you need “body control” to be a top performing influencer of others.

To convince others to follow you, be aware of the following:

•Posture- When presenting your solution to a customer or leading your team of associates, sit up tall or stand up straight.  Your shoulders should be up and outward. This shows confidence in your message.

•Movements- Move smoothly and deliberately. Don’t fidget, tap your feet, clear your throat or rub your nose.  This shows nervousness and uncertainty.

•Eyes-Maintain good eye contact. Looking away tells others that you may be hiding something.

•Head position- Keep your head straight when you want to show others you believe in what you are saying. To lighten the mood or show you are listening, you can tilt your head slightly to either side.

•Arms-Keep your arms by your side rather than folding. Folding is a defensive position that restricts others from sharing their true feelings. If want the truth, your body should invite it.

So this week, let your body do the talking.  And while it speaks the language of a confident leader, you will find more people believing that you are the person they need to follow.

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